[barum]

Originally Posted by Puman

Toivottavasti tuo Corvetten keskimoottori ei luovu vaihdekepistä.

Näin Tadge tarinoi C7:n osalta, mutta kuluttajakäyttäytyminen ja siten business case pätee kyllä kaikkien valmistajien kohdalla ja varmasti myös C8:n tapauksessa:

Originally Posted by Tadge

I hear this question a lot since people who love driving manual transmission vehicles are very passionate about it. Obviously there is no substitute for the level of engagement and control that you have when driving a manual. Believe me, I get it. In my 40+ years of buying and driving vehicles, I have never purchased a new vehicle for my own use that wasn't a manual trans.

Of course, the auto industry was started and for decades remained almost exclusively propelled with manual transmissions. Starting in the 1940's, automatic transmissions became available. GM, of course, was a principle change agent with the invention of the Hydramatic which signaled a sea change with two pedal cars becoming the norm and three pedal cars dropping in volume in a steady trend that continues to this day. In North America there are very few cars that even offer a manual transmission, and those that do see very low take rates. Customer preferences are changing even among sports car enthusiasts. Both the fifth and sixth generation Corvette Z06s were offered with only a manual and we heard from many customers that they would like an automatic. Now that we offer a choice, the automatic is running 80%. The value proposition for most people has shifted towards automatics. Even though manuals have gotten better with more gears, rev-matching and lower clutch efforts, automatics have gotten more engaging and capable with paddle shifters, quicker shifts than humans can make, and multiple modes of operation.

The manual transmission used to be the low cost option and therefore was standard equipment. High volumes of automatics have given us economies of scale and reduced costs. Manuals have experienced the opposite trend so now we are in a position where the traditional business model no longer works. Manual transmission suppliers face dwindling volumes making profitable production more difficult. This is why you see some companies eliminating manuals completely or packaging them in expensive models targeted towards serious enthusiasts. I don't know when, but eventually these market forces may make manual transmissions unavailable at any price, since there won't be manufacturers willing to make them. In the meantime, we are proud to be able to offer both transmission choices in all our models. Appreciate them while they are still here!